I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 124: Qi, Ming Yucheng!
The County Military Academy is a school dedicated to cultivating civil and military talents.

The admission requirements are very strict, and only the children of high-ranking officials and wealthy families have the opportunity to enter.

In the past, the Li family spent a lot of effort to help Li Shaoyun from Wuqiao Town come here to study.

However, the Military Academy only teaches academics and martial arts, and does not provide weapons, medicines, exercises, etc.

Therefore, most of the people who come here are young people or children who are just beginning to learn.

By the time they reach their teens, they often need to look elsewhere for opportunities.

Even so, the Military Academy was still the cradle of talent cultivation in Qingwu County, and many wealthy families were willing to send their children to the Academy.

It was already noon when Xie An arrived at the Military Academy.

Since it was his first time here, Xie An couldn't help but take a closer look out of curiosity.

There are two stone lions at the door, and a large stone tablet with an inscribed message encouraging learning: Time passes quickly but learning is difficult to achieve, so don't take every moment of your time lightly.

Xie An recited the quotations softly, then looked up to see the leafless sycamore tree next to him, and a stone statue of a great scholar holding a scroll standing in front of the imposing gate.

There is a sense of solemnity and bookishness.

It feels a bit like going back to school in my previous life.

After gathering his thoughts, Xie An explained his purpose to the doorman. Upon hearing that Xie An was the grandfather of Tangjiabao's Little Red Sugar, the doorman immediately showed respect and pointed to a separate courtyard in the southeast. "For those aged five to eight, it's in the Morning Light Garden."

Xie An thanked him and then entered the gate of the Military Academy. He went southeast and walked a hundred meters. He saw lush pine and cypress trees and a square pavilion.

More than thirty children aged five or six sat at their desks, staring intently at a teacher in a blue robe giving a lecture.

Around the pavilion, a number of prominent figures gathered, mostly elders of the students, responsible for picking up and dropping off the students. Perhaps the teacher's lecture was good, as even these elders gathered outside the pavilion to listen attentively.

Xie An saw Tang Zhengyang and the county magistrate... Wen Zaiqing from a distance.

Xie An couldn't hear what the teacher was saying because they were too far away, so he leaned over to Tang Zhengyang and called out softly, "Brother."

"Fifth brother..."

Tang Zhengyang turned around and saw Xie An, and was extremely surprised. Then he saw the gift in Xie An's hand, and knew what Xie An meant. He smiled knowingly and said, "Fifth brother, you are so thoughtful."

"As it should be. Where's Little Red Sugar?"

Tang Zhengyang pointed to the first row.

Xie An looked up and saw Xiao Hongtang, wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket, sitting in the first row. Because she was short, when she sat up straight, only half of her head was above the table.

But Xiao Hongtang listened very carefully, supporting her chin with both hands, and staring at the teacher with her big eyes.

Then, Xie An's gaze slowly shifted to the teacher.

At first sight, so handsome!

Not as handsome as a man.

She wore a slim-fitting aqua blue gown and a pair of white boots. A jade hairpin was stuck in her hair. Her face was incredibly delicate.

When Xie An opened his five senses and used all his eyesight to look, he clearly saw a ray of mottled sunlight falling on the teacher's face. Xie An clearly saw the teacher's delicate eyelashes, eyebrows, and the delicate jade-like skin texture on his face.

Xie An's intuition told him... this was a woman.

Xie An had heard the story of Zhu Yingtai disguised as a man since he was a child in his previous life. At that time, Xie An was very curious about why he, as a spectator, could tell at a glance that Zhu Yingtai was a woman disguised as a man, but the people in the story could not see it.

At this moment, Xie An turned around and looked at the group of big men around him, but no one noticed the clues...

Well, it seems that Zhu Yingtai’s story does have a basis.

Ancient people...after all, we have seen less?
Looking at Old Master Tang again, he was listening with great interest again.

Xie An withdrew his gaze and listened carefully.

Compared to other teachers' flowery quotations of sages, this one was truly insightful, telling stories of young men slaying dragons, soaring through the sky, and escaping the earth. He also told of a young man in the north who, after thirty years of studying without success, suddenly experienced an epiphany and wrote a masterpiece that will live on forever.

There is also a young swordsman who has practiced swordplay for ten years and is riding north to slay demons and monsters.

The five or six-year-old children's blood boiled and their eyes lit up when they heard it.

For Xie An, these stories had long been written about in vernacular novels and journals, and were commonplace. But this teacher recounted them in great detail and vividly, as if they were happening right there.

Even Xie An, a fifty-year-old man, was listening intently.

Before I knew it, the get out of class was over.

The teacher's voice is so calm and elegant that it makes people feel like they are bathed in the spring breeze.

"That's all for today. Everyone, go back early and come back tomorrow."

The children, who were still eager to learn, walked out of the school one after another when they heard the adults shouting.

But Xiao Hongtang politely left her seat and bowed to the teacher in a proper manner, "Goodbye, sir."

The teacher glanced at Xiao Hongtang, who was a little embarrassed but trying her best to perform the standard teacher-student etiquette, and then taught Xiao Hongtang to perform the standard etiquette, "Goodbye."

Little Red Sugar imitated the teacher and bowed again, "My name is Little Red Sugar. Does the teacher have a name?"

The teacher was stunned for a moment and said, "My last name is Su, you can call me Mr. Su."

"Mr. Su, today is my birthday. I'd like to treat you to some nougat." Little Red Sugar stepped forward, tiptoed, and handed over a piece of nougat wrapped in red paper. She was a little shy, but she mustered up her courage.

Mr. Su squatted down, looked at the little red sugar carefully, and reached out to take the nougat. "Thank you, little red sugar, happy birthday."

"Hehe, thank you Mr. Su, Mr. Su's talk is so good. I will be the first one to come tomorrow." Little Red Sugar skipped away, very happy. "Mr. Su wishes Little Red Sugar all the best, hehe."

After exiting the pavilion, Little Red Sugar saw Xie An and unexpectedly left Old Master Tang behind and jumped into Xie An's arms, "Little Grandpa, you're here. Wow, there are sugar men and candied haws."

"Of course I remember Little Red Sugar's birthday."

"Hehe! Little Red Sugar is so happy. She has Mr. Su's blessing and Little Grandpa's sugar figurine... It would be even more perfect if she could ride on Little Grandpa's shoulders."

Then, Xie An put Xiao Hongtang on his shoulders and carried Xiao Hongtang away.

When he reached the corner, Xie An seemed to remember something.

I am Xiao Hongtang's grandfather after all. Isn't it appropriate for me to thank the teacher?
So, Xie An turned around and looked at the teacher, but the teacher was still standing there, holding the nougat given by Xiao Hongtang in his hand, and his calm eyes were still looking in the direction of Xiao Hongtang.

Xie An didn't know whether the other person was looking at him or at Xiao Hongtang, but he smiled in response.

As for whether the teacher knew about it, it was none of my business.

Just be polite.

Back at Tangjiabao, everyone gathered around Xiao Hongtang. They learned that Xiao Hongtang was doing well in school and was willing to continue going to school... The whole family breathed a sigh of relief.

Especially Tang Lin, she was so excited that she almost burned incense and worshipped Buddha.

You know, a few days ago, when it was almost time for her to start learning, Little Red Sugar used all means, including crying, making a scene, and even threatening to commit suicide, to refuse to go to school...

The family held a lively banquet for Xiao Hongtang.

Finally, everyone asked Xiao Hongtang what her birthday wish was.

Her father, Tang Qingfeng, offered to buy her new clothes. Her second uncle, Tang Qingyun, offered to take her horseback riding and sword dancing. Tang Linshi offered to buy her food. Old Master Tang said, "Anything you want is fine..."

However, under everyone's gaze, Xiao Hongtang mustered up the courage to walk up to Xie An, tugged at his sleeve, and expressed her wish, "Grandpa, I want you to send me to school for a few days. Is that okay?"

The whole family was shocked...

Xie An felt very embarrassed.

No... You abandoned your family's wishes and came to find me, your late grandfather, just to send you to school... You are so disloyal that it is very difficult for me, an outsider grandfather, to do my job.

Just as Xie An was thinking about how to politely decline, Tang Qingyun suddenly burst into laughter, "Little Red Sugar is becoming more and more sensible. She only wants to go to school, which is a good thing. Fifth brother, you can do whatever you want."

"Since Big Brother has said so... I am naturally happy."

"Hehe, thank you, little grandpa."

Since Xie An had promised Xiao Hongtang, he naturally stayed at Tangjiabao. In the evening, he went to the central courtyard to drink and chat with Old Master Tang until late at night before returning to his own courtyard to rest.

The next day, early in the morning.

Xiao Hongtang's voice came from outside the door.

"Little Grandpa, hurry up, we're going to be late."

"I'm surprised...it's not even daybreak yet, what are you doing?!"

Xie An hurriedly got up and washed, then opened the door and saw Xiao Hongtang dressed neatly, carrying a small cloth bag on one shoulder.

In Daqian, there was no such thing as a schoolbag. Men carried bookcases and backpacks, while women often carried small cloth bags. For Xiaohongtang, the bags were not filled with books, but rather with handfuls of nougat and other fruits.

brush.

Xiao Hongtang grabbed Xie An's hand and said like a little adult, "Hurry up, I promised Mr. Su that I would be the first to arrive at the school."

Xie An glanced at the faint glow in the eastern sky, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

You don’t even have a book in your bag, and you don’t look like you’re serious about studying... that’s the attitude you’re putting on.

When leaving the house, Tang Lin was so moved that her eyes turned red. She thought that Xiao Hongtang was so diligent and studious at the beginning of her education, and she would definitely become a great person in the future.

In fact, Tang Lin was really overthinking it.

Xie An also realized that he had oversimplified things.

When they got to the street, Xiao Hongtang first ate steamed buns from Aunt Wang's shop, then went to Uncle Li's house to eat tofu pudding. Then, when the market opened, she slipped into the cloth shop to buy new clothes and sugar figurines... And without exception, Xie An paid for all of this.

No wonder Little Red Sugar rejected her family's advances when she made a wish.

It turns out that Xiao Hongtang knew that her family was strict with her and that she wouldn't get much benefit from it. But Xie An, the little grandfather, was different. Choosing the little grandfather meant... having everything.

Xie An: "..." This little girl is very clever and mischievous.

Despite this, Little Red Tang was the first to arrive at the school. She was praised by Mr. Su... Praise from a teacher is much more effective than praise from parents, and Little Red Tang was very happy.

This girl simply made Xie An speechless.

Xie An naturally waited outside and listened to Mr. Su's lecture when he had nothing to do.

"Yesterday, I gave you a brief introduction. Today, I will tell you about the saints..."

Xie An felt that Mr. Su's lectures were easy to understand, even for children, but he also added unique insights. It was very touching.

In particular, Mr. Su finally said:
"Sages left behind brilliant civilizations to enlighten future generations, increase their wisdom, and cultivate their character. Millennia of accumulation, separating the false from the true, have given rise to the thought we have today. Sages are far away from us, yet every time we turn the pages of a book and read their sayings, we feel they are very close. When you have read thousands of books and traveled thousands of miles, you will understand... In this life, sages cannot save you. Only... you are your own sage."

The words, calm as the spring breeze, touched Xie An.

Only you are your own saint.

In the next few days, Xie An took Xiao Hongtang to school every day. At first, Xie An just sat on the stone bench outside the pavilion, listening to the catchy reading voices inside.

Later, Xie An would stand outside the doors and windows of the pavilion and listen to Mr. Su's lectures at close range.

In fact, every time Xie An attended a lecture, he would look at Mr. Su very seriously, as if he had returned to the classroom in his previous life.

Time passed quickly and it was New Year's Eve.

After class that day, Xie An was about to leave with Little Red Sugar. But Mr. Su came out and said to Xie An calmly, "If you like attending classes, I'll add a desk in the last row next year."

Xie An: “…”

I'm fifty-three years old, and I'm taking classes with a group of five or six-year-old kids?
Mr. Su said, "A child's love of learning is like the sun at sunrise; a man's love of learning is like the sun at noon; an old man's love of learning is like the light of a candle."

By candlelight...

"Mr. Xie Su."

Xie An felt that Mr. Su had an indescribable elegance and grace, so he didn't refuse. He thanked him and left with Xiao Hongtang.

After a while, the pavilion was completely empty, with only Mr. Su standing alone under the eaves.

Until, footsteps were heard.

"Miss, ask him to add a desk..."

It was Yuhe who came, smiling all the time.

Mr. Su asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Yu He continued to laugh. "He is Xie An, the master I serve. I told you about him before. Moreover, I am eighty to ninety percent sure that the immortal treasure that the Corpse Refining Hall has been searching for is in his hands."

Mr. Su's calm eyes finally showed a trace of fluctuation, "Such a great opportunity... actually fell into his hands... It seems that this small Qingwu County really cannot be underestimated.

How is your injury recovery going?"

Yuhe said, "I'm fully recovered. I should go back to my master."

In fact, Yuhe had returned to Qingwu County a long time ago, but because her injuries had not recovered, she was afraid that Xie An would notice something was wrong, so she never went back.

"I'll take you there tomorrow."

……

It's New Year's Eve again.

This is Xie An's thirty-third year in this world.

I still live in Tangjiabao.

After a year of getting along, the family of Tangjiabao basically accepted Xie An and treated him as one of their own family members. They stayed up all night together, chatted at night, and waited for the New Year.

The next morning, Xie An left the county town and rode back to the temple in Shuideng Town, where he invited a group of incense masters and deacons to have a reunion dinner together.

By the time the crowd dispersed, it was already 3 p.m.

Heavy snow began to fall from the sky.

Xie An stood alone under the eaves of the hall, watching the heavy snow falling outside and the people coming and going, but he could not see Yuhe. He felt a little lost.

After a moment of hesitation, Xie An returned to the central courtyard, closed the gate, sat cross-legged in the pavilion, and practiced fetal breathing and Mingyu Gong.

Over the past month, although Xie An was in Tangjiabao and picked up Xiao Hongtang from school every day, he did not miss out on practicing martial arts.

Especially Mingyu Gong, which requires persistence in practicing.

Now, it is finally close to perfection.

It will take about an hour to clear your mind.

Sisi~
Xie An clearly felt the heat surging in his body, radiating from the crimson palace, flowing throughout his body, and then quickly retracting.

This stream of heat is already as thick as three thumbs.

Extremely hot.

While circulating the Qi around the body, the body feels extremely hot, sweats profusely, and the skin becomes flushed.

Suddenly, Xie An felt that the surrounding world and himself had some kind of strange connection. As this connection became stronger and stronger, his body was actually vibrating, and it seemed that something was resonating strongly with the outside world.

[Ming Yu Gong: Beginning of Spring 100/100]

Complete.

Then Xie An's whole body began to emit a warm steam, as if he was in a sauna...

So hot!

I have never felt such an intense heat.

He clearly felt as if some impurities were flowing out of his body through his skin pores. His body was undergoing some strange transformation, becoming increasingly solid and refined.

Xie An himself didn't know how long it had been. He only stopped when the impurities in his body stopped flowing out.

I suddenly discovered that a layer of brown dirt had accumulated on the outside of my skin, emitting an unpleasant smell.

"Is this the tempering effect of the Beginning of Spring?"

Xie An didn't care about the dirt on his body and stood up suddenly. He was shocked to find that his five senses had been further strengthened, his strength had increased again, his hands and feet were more flexible, and he felt extremely comfortable from the inside out.

It's obvious that my body has undergone some kind of evolution.

The extent of the evolution is much more powerful than the effects of Fetal Breathing and Five Animal Exercises combined.

call out.

Xie An threw a punch fiercely, the air exploded, and the force of his punch exploded.

He punched the ground again, creating a two-meter-wide crater. And he didn't feel the slightest pain from his fist.

"too strong!"

"The first solar term of Cai Ming Yu Gong is like this... Is it possible to continue practicing it?"

Xie An quickly called up the panel:

[Current Longevity Level: Level 0.0002. Fusion Degree: ]

[Fetal Breathing Technique: Divine Light Appears (600/1000)]

[Ming Yu Gong: Rainwater 0/100]

[Remaining Years: 43]

"The divine light has increased by one hundred points, and the remaining years have increased by three years."

"Comfortable!"

Xie An was in a good mood. He immediately went to the ancient well in the yard, used the well wheel to draw a bucket of cold water to take a bath, and then changed into clean clothes.

Just then, Xie An, who had extraordinary five senses, heard footsteps coming from outside the door.

A very familiar voice.

Xie An couldn't help but stop and listen carefully.

dong dong dong.

"Master, I'm back."

really……

Xie An almost ran to open the door, but then he remembered that he was a master and not young anymore, so he calmed down, pretended to be calm, and opened the door.

Yuhe was standing outside in a fur skirt, with snowflakes on her shoulders and hair. She was still smiling as before and bowed to Xie An.

"Farewell, fireworks every year, morning and evening, peace every year!"

Xie An helped him up with a smile, "Happy New Year, Yuhe, come in quickly, it's snowing hard outside."

Just when Xie An was about to close the door, he suddenly saw a woman in a sea-blue satin dress standing in the snow outside the door. She was holding an oil-paper umbrella in her hand, standing upright, her sleeves fluttering in the wind and snow, and her long hair flowing.

This person was as beautiful as jade, as if she had merged into one with the wind and snow, giving an indescribable sense of déjà vu.

It always feels a little familiar...

It was the woman who spoke first. "I am Yuhe's eldest sister. I just happened to be passing by. Could I come in and have a cup of tea?"

----

P.S.: The poem encouraging learning is adapted from Zhu Xi's Occasional Composition. After all, this is another world, so it's not appropriate to directly quote poetry from this world. I wanted to create my own, but my level is not good enough, so this is it~
(End of this chapter)